Bishop John Schol: Pray for Nepal and Baltimore

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I and United Methodists around the world grieve deeply about the impact of the earthquake in Nepal and the unrest in Baltimore. I call all of our congregations this weekend to pray for the people of Baltimore and Nepal. James 5:13-16 is a powerful scripture on prayer. It includes these lines: If any among us are suffering, pray… The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. The people of Nepal and Baltimore need the powerful and effective prayers of United Methodists.

In Nepal, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake has killed thousands and destroyed homes, buildings and communities. In Baltimore, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African-American male died while in police custody.

The earthquake in Nepal has shattered lives. We as United Methodists have already begun to mobilize relief and recovery efforts by raising money and supporting churches and local organizations in Nepal. The United Methodist Church began its work in Nepal 60 years ago when we partnered to open a clinic. Today we have five missionaries in Nepal and they and their families are all safe. Our recovery work for the people of Nepal will span many years and I invite you to be generous with your prayers and giving.

A string of deaths of African-American men by police officers has set many communities on edge. For eight years I was the bishop of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and I know the people and communities of Baltimore. It is a dynamic city with outstanding leaders and people. The violent protest in Baltimore is a struggle of larger issues of racism and poverty. There is fear that the system does not treat people equally. I call on United Methodists to pray for the family of Freddie Gray, the leaders and residents of Baltimore and for each of us to work toward healing the wounds of racism and poverty.

The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Let us pray for the people of Nepal and Baltimore. Let us work in our own communities to address the injustices of poverty and racism and to be good stewards of God’s creation.

Keep the faith!

John Schol, Bishop
The United Methodist Church

Greater New Jersey

Welcome to the Oasis!

oasis-174197_640 pixabay

WELCOME TO THE OASIS! This Sunday, for Communiversity, Princeton United Methodist Church will show radical hospitality — opening its doors to foot-weary Princeton visitors. We will offer rest rooms, table seating, sunscreen, and a toddler area. This “Oasis” will even feature a sandbox for toddler play.

The teens will sell baked goods for the Appalachia Service Project and the handbell choir will play.

It’s all in PUMC’s mission statement —

To be a place where ALL are welcome. We embrace and celebrate the vast diversity of the people in our communities, our country and our world.

More than 40,000 people are expected to attend.

 

The Gospel According to Calypso

2015 apr catherine preaching

Many value the Calypso – the indigenous music of Trinidad and Tobago –  exclusively as tourist or Carnival entertainment, says  Catherine Williams, pastoral care assistant.

“However there is much that is akin to preaching in this genre, and the calypsonians themselves would be the first to admit it,” says Catherine. She returned to her home country of Trinidad & Tobago to research her doctoral thesis. “It was my delight to discover anew this cultural gem from my country of origin, and to use it as a lens through which to focus on local preaching.”

Catherine will speak at the Circle of Friends meeting on Tuesday, April 14, at 10:30 a.m. at Rocky Hill’s Trinity Church. The Circle of Friends, part of United Methodist Women, meets bimonthly. RSVP to 609-924-2613 and big a bag lunch; beverage and dessert will be provided. All women are welcome.

Catherine&HomileticsStudents
A January class of Homiletics students at the West Indies School of Theology in Trinidad and Tobago.

Bach on Good Friday

REllis headshot

Rochelle Ellis will be the soprano soloist for the Good Friday concert on April 3, 7:30 p.m., Hyosang Park directs the Chancel Choir in Bach Cantata 21 “Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis” (I had much affliction in my heart). 

Solo oboe and violin open the cantata, picturing suffering and pain. “A  sighing motif, the picture of a storm of tears, and the flood image conjured by the upwelling music characterizes the dark and oppressive feeling,” according to a Wikipedia entry. But the  changes in the second part, which shows “the trust of sinners in the grace of God, the mood transforms into “curls” of joy, with the final movement forming a strong hymn of praise.”

Instrumentalists include Joshua Im and Ileana Ciumac, violin;  Paul Manulik, viola; Mimi Morris-Kim, cello;  Melissa Bohl, oboe; Loren Stata, bassoon; and Christopher Williams, continuo. The tenor role will be sung by Kyle Masson, and David Kellett will sing bass. This concert honors the late Sally Ross, a faithful choir member.

Also on Good Friday, at noon,  there will be a worship service in the sanctuary, Rev. Anna Gillette preaching.

Strong and courageous, strong and courageous, strong and courageous”

2015 3 10 Scott Sherill Tuesday

Scott Sherrill, the divinity student who just happens to be married to Deb Sherrill, PUMC’s office administrator, led the Midweek Lenten Gathering. To illustrate the topic “Change of Circumstances,” he chose the story of Joshua, who had to succeed Moses and lead the Israelites into the promised land.

Scott — who just happens to have experienced many surprising changes of circumstances in the last year — reminds us that God strenthens Joshua’s resolve by promising “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5b)

Three times the Lord uses the same two words, strong and courageous, ending with “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Next in the “Change” series for Lenten Tuesdays:

Anna Gillette March 17: Change of Perspective
Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan asked us to shift our thinking, our judging, our ideas about what is right. Jesus challenges us to move beyond parameters and into a whole new way of living. 
Bianca Baird March 24: Change of Heart
Jesus’ words to the Pharisees give us pause: “You honor me with your lips, but your hearts are far from me.” Jesus invites us to experience a change of heart that will in fact change every part of our lives.
Shivonne McKay: Change of Plans
God’s ways are not our own. We expect a conquering king and hero, but Jesus instead leads us down the road to Jerusalem and humbles himself on the cross. God changes our plans and replaces them with a love broader and deeper than anything we could imagine.

Scott interned at Hightstown Methodist Church last summer and is at Trinity Episcopal Church this academic  year. We are blessed to have him participate in the life of this church!

PS: Joshua found out that God kept the covenant. The first city they came to crossing  over the Jordan was Jericho, and we all know what happened there!

 

 

Youth Sunday: Three choirs

On Youth Sunday, February 8 at 9:30, choirs from three churches will praise the Lord. Our PUMC youth choir rehearsed with singers from Trinity Episcopal and Nassau Presbyterian, and these combined choirs visited the other two churches on January 25. Now we get to hear them! They will sing Cherubini’s “Like as a Father,” a traditional Zambian song, “Bonse Aba,” and “One Voice.”

Below are some snaps taken at rehearsal and on the 25th. Praising the Lord on Sunday!

rehearsal trinity2015 1 25 boys at trinity  2015 1 25 lining up trinity

2015 1 25 youth choir balcony nassauThanks to  PUMC’s Tom Shelton, Nassau’s Sue Ellen Page (shown here) , and Trinity’s Tom Whittemore for their leadership. 2015 1 25 Sueellen and Tom

 

Rethink Church: for Lent — a photo a day

lent photo a ay

The website Rethink Church offers an unusual way to observe Lent: take a picture a day for that day’s theme (listed above). and post them on Facebook, as quoted here:

As we journey through this season of Lent, some will choose to give up something. Some will go about their lives as if it was ordinary time. Some will choose to be more reflective. Whatever your practices this season, will you join this photo-a-day challenge and share with the community how you perceive each word or phrase for the day? ….

You don’t have to be a great photographer. This project is more about the practice of paying attention and being intentional, than it is using the right filter or getting the perfect shot..

The first of the daily themes is Announce,  for Ash Wednesday, followed by Look, Joy, and Alone. For details on this intriguing project, click here.

“Dying to Live,” Phoebe Quaynor, February 1

“Dying to Live: dangerous and uncomfortable paths to the pursuit of truth” is the sermon topic for Communion Sunday, February 1, at the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services at Princeton United Methodist Church (PUMC). Seminary intern Phoebe Quaynor will tell about some of the people who have lit the path of freedom and the prices they had to pay.

Phoebe-QuaynorOriginally native to Ghana, West Africa, Phoebe lived in Paterson, NJ until seminary education brought her to Princeton. Personally devoted to the contemplative arts, creativity and spirituality, she feels called vocationally to the ministry of Christian Education and is currently co-teaching the Confirmation class.

Also in the observance of Black History Month, Not in Our Town hosts a discussion on perceptions of black history. Set for Monday, February 2, at 7 p.m. on the third floor of Princeton Public Library, it is part of the Continuing Conversations on Race series, a safe place to talk about difficult questions. PUMC supports Not in Our Town. Everyone is welcome.

“A Place for Everyone”

Paul Guba Imaging

“A Place for Everyone” is the title of our January sermon series at Princeton United Methodist Church. Rev. Don Brash begins the series on January 4 at both services. On January 11 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Methodist Bishop John Schol, Episcopal leader for the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, will share the biblical witness about how everyone has a place in the church.

The church has been reflecting on what it means to be a reconciling congregation with respect to its relationship with brothers and sisters in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. The reconciling congregation movement works for full participation in the United Methodist Church.

NJ.com (Times of Trenton) printed the news online and in print, click here.